Detachable baseboard assembly



Dec. 22, 1964 D. l:` sel-AUB DETACHABLE BASEBOARD ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 13. 1961 www Ta N ms 5 m N N E D ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,161,926 DETACHABLE BASEBGARD ASSEMBLY Dennis E. Schaub, 68 Taft St., Battle Creek, Mich. Filed Ian. 13, 196i, Ser. No. 32,637 8 (Cl. 2li-74) This invention relates generally to wood-framed wall constructions, and is more particularly concerned with a novel and readily detachable baseboard assembly.

In dwellings where termites have been found, and the structure chemically treated to kill the termites, and also in termite-infested areas, it is rather standard practice to periodically conduct inspections of the wall structure behind the baseboard or `.so-called mopboard, and to facilitate this it is standard practice to use screws for anchoring the baseboard to the studding. This, however, is a slow and tedious removal and reinstallation. In other situations, such as in wall painting, exceeding care must be exercised to keep the baseboard and side wall paint lfrom overlapping. The present invention was devised with a knowledge of these yshortcomings and dificulties, and the complete lack of any simple commercial solution to same. In fact that knowledge led to the conception and development of the present invention.

Accordingly .among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a simple solution to the problems involved in connection with the necessity for periodic inspection for termite invasion in addition to the requirement for an easy means to facilitate such inspection. Further, in wood-framed wall constructions which must be redecorated, such as by painting, -it is desirable to have a readily movable and remountable baseboard which may be painted or pre-painted `separately from the wall surface proper.

In view of the problems set forth above, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a readily detachable baseboard assembly affording the various mentioned desirable features.

Another object of this invention is to provide a detachable baseboard assembly of the character mentioned which includes means facilitating the ready removal and replacement for either redecorating or termite inspection.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel detachable baseboard assembly including clip means which are readily and economically manufactured, easily installed, removed and repaired, and highly satisfactory and practical for the purpose intended.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists, of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail certain means for carrying out the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but several of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In the annexed drawing:

FIGURE l is a fragmentary perspective View of a portion of a wall showing how the novel assembly of the present invention is incorporated thereon.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modied portion of the assembly of FIGURE l, showing the ice baseboard portion separated and rotated to show details of the mounting portion thereon.

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view, looking from the rear of FIGURE 1, showing the essential parts of the novel assembly.

FIGURE 4 is an an enlarged sectional view of a modication taken at a position corresponding to line 4-4 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawing in detail, Ia fragmentary portion of' a frame or wooden wall construction is indicated generally -at l0 and comprises a horizontal sill member l2 to which are suitably secured and conventionally spaced vertical studs 14 comprising support means for the detachable baseboard assembly.

Secured on the coplanar faces 16 of the studs 14 is suitable sheathing means 18 which may comprise plaster board, pressed board, plywood, plaster, et cetera. The sheathing means may extend down to underlying flooring 20 `laid on a sub-door 22 as seen in FIGURE l, may extend short of the bottom of the baseboard as seen in FIG- URE 2, or may extend .beyond the top of the flooring as indicated at 13 in FIGURE 4.

The sheathing 18 may be formed with transverse inspection apertures 24, FIGURE 3, which will be disposed behind the removable baseboard to be described, and which permits termite inspection, in addition to providing means whereby a suitable treatment material may be introduced into the wall. Terminating the sheathing short of the lbottom of the baseboard, as shown in FIGURE 2, also allows direct inspection of the sill member 12 full length of the wall.

Also formed in the sheathing means are vertically elongated apertured portions 26 which are in alignment with the studs 14 and which have disposed therein outwardly projecting baseboard anchoring means comprising istaplealike elements 28 termin-ally anchored in the studs i4 as seen at 3i? in FIGURE 4. The bight portion 32 of the elements 28 preferably projects slightly beyond the outer surface of the sheathing means 18, and into the conventional recess 38 in the back face of the baseboard 34 as seen in FIGURE 4.

A suitably milled, elongated baseboard member 34 has a rear face 36 which may -be secured liush on the outer surface of the sheathing 18, and a longitudinal recess 38 is preferably formed in said rear facev of the baseboard member 34 to facilitate mounting the baseboard in accordance with the present invention. Secured to the lower margin of the outer surface 40 of the baseboard 34 by means of Allen screws 42, -or the like, if desired, is a. conventional quarter-round toe molding strip 44. The baseboard and molding strip may be pre-drilled, if desired, as indicated at 46 and 48, respectively, FIGURE 3, to facilitate assembly, and as previously mentioned, the baseboard and toe molding may be separately finished as by painting or l-aquer-ing, or may be pre-finished and removed to prevent disguration when painting, papering, or otherwise finishing the sheathing means.

Secured at the upper portion of the recess 3S of baseboard 34 Aare mounting clips 50, which are preferably of spring material such as thin spring steel or bronze and may be `of substantially T-shape with an apertured transverse mounting head 52 at their upper end for receiving fastening elements 54 received in undersized, pre-drilled, apertures 56 in the baseboard 34, FIGURES 2 and 3. The clips 50 will be located to be in alignment with the staple-like elements 28 anchored in studs 14, and include integrally with the head 52, a depending, normally in.- wardly biased mounting tongue .portion 53, the lower end of which extends back toward the inner surface of the recess 38. The bight portion 32 of the mounting elements 28 will be disposed behind the tongues 5S, lll@- URE 4, when the baseboard is mounted on the elements 28 with the tongues 5S grppingly engaging the bight portions 32 to urge the rear face 36 of the baseboard both downward and against the outer surface of the sheathing.

The lower end of the tongues S will be displaced backward into the apertures 26 when the baseboard member 34 is lifted from the position shown in FlGURES l and 4, to permit ready separation of the baseboard from the face of the sheathing 18, for the purposes mentioned above. Like movement of the tongue SS takes place when the baseboard is reinstalled after termite inspection or decorating has taken place.

A simple Way to install the baseboard, in accordance with Ithe present invention, is to rst prepare the wall with resses or apertures 26, or the like, and then to mount the staple-like elements 2S therein at a prechosen elevation above the door Ztl in the studs "ad or the like. The baseboard 34 is then fitted in place and the approximate centers of each of said staple-like elements 28 are marked on the baseboard 34, and clips 5% anchored to said baseboard at the indicated location. lt is then only necessary to lift up said baseboard to free same, and to reconnect said clips and staples when said baseboard is installed in place on the Wall.

The described exemplary embodiment is illustrative only of the general principles involved in this'invention. Further, numerous modifications and changes based on the teachings of this application will readily occur to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended that the invention is not to be considered as limited to the specific details shown and described, but rather to encompass all modifications and equivalents within the spirit and scope of the invention as herein set forth. It is also to be noted that directional terms such as uppen rear, down- Wardf et cetera have been used for convenience of describing the invention in the position shown on the drawing,v but such directional terms are not to be considered as limiting the invention since baseboards or equivalent members can be equally well anchored lto a wall or the like othenthan horizontal, as shown, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as herein shown and described.

Other modes of apply-ing the principle of my invention may be employed instead of those explained, change being made as regards the apparatus herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly pointV out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A detachable baseboard assembly mountable over wooden members subject to attack by termites, comprising support means in the form of wooden studding in a wall, sheathing means juxtaposed and anchored to the front face of said studding, an elongated means in the form of a baseboard, to be removably secured in juxtaposed relation along Va marginal portion of said sheathing means Aso that when removed the wooden members subject lto termite attack maybe examined, an separable fastening means including a pair of detachably connectable cooperating portions respectively connected lto and extending between the front face of said studding and` the back faceof said baseboard and when fully con-Y nected drawing the latter into flush engagement against said sheathing means which has an aperture at the front of said studding, one of said cooperating portions cornprising a forwardly projecting aperture forming element anchored to the front face of said studding in said aperture of said sheathing, said other cooperating portion comprising a resilient tongue means mounted on the back face of said baseboard substantially parallel thereto and grippingly engageable in said aperture forming element.

2. A detachable baseboard assembly mountable over Wooden members subject to attack by termites, comprising support means in the form of Wooden studding in a Wall, sheathing means juxtaposed and anchored to said studding, an elongated means in the form of a baseboard, to be removably secured in juxtaposed relation along a marginal portion of said sheathing means, and separable fastening means including a pair of detachably connectaole cooperating portions respectively connected to and extending between the front face of one of said studs and the back face of said baseboard and when fully connected drawing the latter into llush engagement against said sheathing means, said sheathing means including a transverse aperture portion in alignment with the front face of one of said .studs and the back face of said baseboard, said detachably connectable cooperating portions comprising an aperture forming element and a resilient tongue means, one of said cooperating portions being anchored on the front face of said stud Within said aperture portion of said sheathing and the other of said cooperating portions being anchored on the back face of said baseboard, said cooperating portions being grippingly engageable within said transverse aperture in said sheathing in front of said stud.

3. A detachable baseboard assembly mountable over wooden members subject to attack by termites, comprising support means in the form of wooden studding in a wall, vsheathing means juxtaposed and anchored to said studding, an elongated means in the form of a baseboard, to be removably secured in juxtaposed relation along a marginal portion of said sheathing means, and separable fasten-ing means including a pair of detachably connectable cooperating portions respectively connected to and extending between the front face Yof one of said studs and the back face of said baseboard andv when fully connected drawing the latter into ilush engagement against said sheathing means, wherein said baseboard includes a longitudinal recess portion ingits back face opening toward said sheathing means, said sheathing means including a transverse aperture portion lin alignment with one of said studs and said recess portion of said baseboard, one of said cooperating portions comprising an aperture-forming element within said transverse aperture portion of said sheathing and anchored to and projecting from the front face of said stud, and said other cooperating portion comprising a resilient tongue means in said recess portion in the back face of said baseboard and grippingly engageable in said aperture-forming element anchored to the front face ot said stud and extending into said transverse aperture portion of said sheathing.

4. The structure of claim 3, said sheathing means including a second aperture means normally covered by said baseboard and facilitating inspection for termites and the like in the Wooden members behind said baseboard which are exposed when the latter is removed.

5. The structure of claim 3, said resilient tongue means extending substantially crosswise of said longitudinal recess portion of said baseboard and being resiliently d-isplaceable laterally away from same.

6. The structure of claim 3, wherein said lresilient tongue means is mounted Ain said recess portion of said baseboard and substantially crosswise of same and is resiliently displaceable laterally from same, said sheathing means also including a second aperture means covered by said baseboard and facilitating inspection for termites and the like in the wooden members behind said baseboard which are exposed when the latter is removed.

7. The structure of claim 3, wherein said resilient tongue means is anchored in said recess portion of said baseboard and `includes a downwardly disposed outturned terminal end portion spring biased into said recess in said sheathing in position to engage said aperture forming element anchored on the front face of said studding.

Reeenees Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 257,624 5/82 Spitler 20--15 1,155,149 9/15 Hathorne 20-74 X lo 1,355,595 10/20 Eiekhof 20-4 6/26 Nelson 20--74 Sideil et al 20-4 Turner 248-224 Hoegger 242-28 Varden 50-319 Kellogg 189-85 X Hasenburger et al. 20-4 Marshall 20-74 Clary 98-31 X Bensman 20-74 ACOB L. NACKENUFF, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM I. MUSHAKE, Examiner. 

1. A DETACHABLE BASEBOARD ASSEMBLY MOUNTABLE OVER WOODEN MEMBERS SUBJECT TO ATTACK BY TERMITES, COMPRISING SUPPORT MEANS IN THE FORM OF WOODEN STUDDING IN A WALL, SHEATHING MEANS JUXTAPOSED AND ANCHORED TO THE FRONT FACE OF SAID STUDDING, AN ELONGATED MEANS IN THE FORM OF A BASEBOARD, TO BE REMOVABLY SECURED IN JUXTAPOSED RELATION ALONG A MARGINAL PORTION OF SAID SHEATHING MEANS SO THAT WHEN REMOVED THE WOODEN MEMBERS SUBJECT TO TERMITE ATTACK MAY BE EXAMINED, AND SEPARABLE FASTENING MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF DETACHABLY CONNECTAABLE COOPERATING PORTIONS RESPECTIVELY CONNECTED TO AND EXTENDING BETWEEN THE FRONT FACE OF SAID STUDDING AND THE BACK FACE OF SAID BASEBOARD AND WHEN FULLY CONNECTED DRAWING THE LATTER INTO FLUSH ENGAGEMENT AGAINST SAID SHEATHING MEANS WHICH HAS AN APERTURE AT THE FRONT OF SAID STUDDING, ONE OF SAID COOPERATING PORTIONS COMPRISING A FORWARDLY PROJECTING APERTURE FORMING ELEMENT ANCHORED TO THE FRONT FACE OF SAID STUDDING IN SAID APERTURE OF SAID SHEATHING, SAID OTHER COOPERATING PORTION COMPRISING A RESILIENT TONGUE MEANS MOUNTED ON THE BACK FACE OF SAID BASEBOARD SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL THERETO AND GRIPPINGLY ENGAGABLE IN SAID APERTURE FORMING ELEMENT. 